Kernels fall to Clinton, 8-4

Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels dropped the first game of a three game series with the Clinton LumberKings by the score of 8-4 in front of 3,260 fans at Perfect Game Field on Thursday night. Ricky Alvarez went 2-4 with an RBI and Mike Trout was 1-5 with an RBI.

Kernels starter Stephen Locke (3-2) allowed five runs on nine hits, walked three and struck out three over 6.1 innings in taking the loss. Clinton reliever John Housey (5-3) picked up the win, working 3.1 innings and allowing two hits and a walk with one strikeout. Luis Nunez went 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI.

Clinton scored three runs in the second inning, but the Kernels scored single runs in the third and fifth to cut the lead to 3-2. After Clinton made it 4-2, the Kernels tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The LumberKings took a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh and added three more in the top of the 8th for the final 8-4 win.

The second game between the Kernels and LumberKings is Friday night at 6:35 pm. It's a Rock 108 FM Progressive Beer Friday where 16 oz. draft beer starts at $1 when the gates open at 5:30 pm and goes up a dollar each hour until reaching full price.

Tickets may be ordered on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560 after 10 am on Friday morning. The current home stand continues through Tuesday, July 6.